Jesse Hahn

A poor spring punched Hahn's ticket to Triple-A Nashville to open the 2017 campaign, but he was recalled the first week of the season. His first appearance was relieving Raul Alcantara after a poor st...

Hahn's first start of 2016 seemed to predict a rebound year (6.2 shutout innings on April 30). It was anything but: He allowed four-plus runs in five of his remaining eight contests, which stretched out over several months due to injuries and a reserved seat on the Triple-A shuttle. Earning a spot in Oakland's wide-open rotation could help him revisit the combined 3.23 ERA in 30 appearances (28 starts) over 2014 and 2015, the latter with his current team. His ability to induce groundballs at an above-average rate offers a solid foundation, and A's starters always earn consideration because of that pitcher-friendly home cooking. Of course, Hahn's iffy health and unstable peripherals (career 6.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9) likely will continue making him too dependent on batted balls and favorable matchups, whether it be lineups and/or stadium of play. Still, note the two-mph increase in average fastball velocity last year, and scrapping the slider last season may have been the first step toward longevity. Keep an eye on him during the spring.

2016

Hahn was acquired in an offseason trade with the Padres and was immediately slotted into the A's rotation to begin the season. He was effective in his 16 starts for Oakland, compiling a 3.35 ERA along the way, but his strikeout rate dropped significantly with the league switch. He offset the drop in strikeouts with an improved walk rate, going from 3.9 BB/9 to 2.3 BB/9 last season. A forearm strain ended Hahn's season after his appearance on July 1, and there were initially fears that he may need another Tommy John surgery. Fortunately, he was reportedly playing catch without pain in late September. The A's will exercise caution with Hahn's workload in 2016 as he's never topped 100 innings at the major league level, but his career 3.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 28 big league starts suggest that he may be a nice value if he can stay healthy.

2015

Hahn entered the Padres’ organization via trade with the Rays last offseason, but his professional career had yet to progress beyond the High-A level. After 8.2 scoreless innings across five Cactus League appearances, though, he had laid the groundwork for a promotion to the big club, beginning the season at Double-A San Antonio. At the affiliate, his first 10 appearances translated to a 2.20 ERA and 28:11 K:BB in 32.2 innings, which generated his major league debut on June 3 after injury struck San Diego’s starters. Thereafter, he oscillated between the majors and minors when his services were required, and while he failed to complete six frames in each of his last four outings with the Padres, he notched a 3.07 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 70:32 K:BB in 73.1 major league innings. Traded to the A's in December, Hahn secured a place in the Oakland rotation during spring training.

2014

Hahn made significant strides in 2013 at High-A Charlotte, emerging as a solid major league prospect. In 19 starts, he went 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA and a 63:18 K:BB ratio over 67.0 innings. A 6-foot-5 right-hander who had Tommy John surgery following his draft selection, Hahn features a mid-90s fastball with three developing secondary pitches. The Rays traded Hahn to San Diego in January as part of a seven-player swap, which might accelerate his path to the big leagues given the Padres' more immediate needs in the rotation.